Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 2, 1993 TAG: 9312020373
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
\ THE ROANOKE VALLEY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION is entering a partnership with the South Jersey-Pennsylvania Baptist Convention to share ministries with volunteers visiting churches there. The new venture succeeds a similar program with Vermont that has been in effect for more than a decade. Some churches will continue their association with the New England state.
Under the partnership, the more numerous Baptists from the South make mission trips to help repair buildings, lead summer Bible schools and promote Baptist growth in rural and urban areas in the North.
\ FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN has chosen the Rev. Cindy Barnum-Steggerda as its next interim pastor. She formerly served Christian Church Uniting in Virginia Beach with her husband, the Rev. Daniel Barnum-Steggerda, newly installed as pastor of Daleville Church of the Brethren. She will begin her work Jan. 1.
For several months the Rev. Emma Jean Woodard has been the interim.
\ STAUNTON AVENUE CHURCH OF GOD has dedicated a $40,000 renovation project that has been under construction for the past year. Included in the building at 1926 Staunton Ave. N.W. are air conditioning, a new electrical system and windows, carpeting, pew cushions and paneling of a room.
\ Rawleigh Quarles is serving as part-time interim pastor of the congregation, which is affiliated with the Church of God of Anderson, Ind.
\ ELDER STEVE OLIVERI, a former pastor of the Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church, will speak Saturday at 11 a.m. at North Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church. The new congregation meets at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4909 Peters Creek Road N.W. Lunch will be served after service.
\ "A CHRISTMAS LEGACY," featuring the Adult Choir and a cast, under the direction of Judy Hensley, will be presented Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at North Roanoke Baptist Church, 6402 Peters Creek Road. A nursery will be open.
\ VILLA HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH, 4080 Challenger Ave. N.E., has scheduled a Christmas music program by the childrens' and youth choirs for Sunday at 5 p.m. At the same hour on Dec. 12, the Chancel Choir of the church will perform the Fettke cantata, "City of Light." Anne Eakin, minister of music, is directing both programs.
\ ART BY CANDLELIGHT, a seasonal program for the public, is scheduled Sunday at 6 p.m. at Williams Memorial Baptist Church, 2105 Carroll Ave. N.W.
\ BONSACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 4493 Bonsack Road, will begin its observance of Advent with an organ recital by staff member Frank Akers on Sunday at 3 p.m.
On Dec. 12, the Chancel Choir will sing the cantata, "He is Born, Child Divine," at 11 a.m., and child choristers will present "The Missing Magi" at 5 p.m. More music will be presented at the 11 a.m. service on Dec. 19.
The church also plans two Christmas Eve services. One will be at 5:30 p.m. and have a nativity tableau, and the other will be at 7:30 and include Communion by candlelight.
\ CHARLENE LANDES, who has been active in Greene Memorial United Methodist Church for 10 years, has joined the staff of Bonsack United Methodist as its director of education and program ministries. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Missouri.
\ SALLY E. GOFF, a member of the music staff of Grandin Court Baptist Church since 1977, will retire as music coordinator on Dec. 31. Goff has worked especially with the Adult Choir, Senior Adult Choir and bell choir.
\ GEORGE PIWANG, a Ugandan evangelist, will lead a renewal conference Friday through Sunday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. Piwang, who is studying for a doctorate in theology and developmental economics at Duke University, has been involved in crusade evangelism and charismatic renewal in his native country. Michael Brown will be worship leader.
The 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday services will be held at Colonial Avenue Baptist Church. On Sunday, Piwang will speak at the church's usual meeting place, North Cross School. A nursery will be staffed for all services.
\ SOUTH ROANOKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 2330 S. Jefferson St., has planned three special Advent music programs. "The Little Christmas Lamb," a musical drama, will be presented by the childrens' choirs on Saturday. The Chancel Choir and soloists augmented by organ and instrumental ensemble will sing works by Rutter, Handel and Vivaldi on Sunday. Both programs will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The final event will be Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. when Debra Nichols, soprano; Rebecca Kennedy, handbells, and Joseph Kennedy, organist, will present a program of carols and anthems.
\ "THE SONG," a cantata for Christmas, will be sung Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at Crystal Spring Baptist Church, 2411 Rosalind Ave. S.W. The work, directed by Betty Geiser, will include soloists and narrators.
\ AN ADVENT CELEBRATION featuring all the choirs of Calvary Baptist Church of Roanoke will be held Sunday at 11 a.m. at the church at 608 Campbell Ave. S.W.
On Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 5 and 8 p.m., the church presents its 25th annual Singing Christmas Tree concert.
"THE MANY MOODS OF CHRISTMAS" will be the Advent musical offering of the Sanctuary Choir of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church, 707 E. Washington Ave. in Vinton. The four suites of the work will be augmented by a 30-piece orchestra. Creed F. Frazier III is director.
\ SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH, 103 N. Broad St., Salem, will light its Chrismon tree Sunday night. On Dec. 12, the childrens' choir will sing at 11 a.m. and that evening a biblical Christmas story will be presented by candlelight.
"City of Light," a Tom Fettke musical, will be sung by the Sanctuary Choir on Dec. 19 at the 11 a.m. service. That night, a congregational Christmas party with cookies and carols, will be held. All evening events will begin at 6.
\ CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP, 307 N. Bruffey St., Salem, will stage "Christmas In Lone Star Gulch" Sunday at 6 p.m. The Childrens' Choir, directed by Ponza Atkinson, will provide music.
"From Heaven's Throne," a musical play, is scheduled Dec. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. with Joe Austin directing.
\ FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in downtown Salem has scheduled its childrens' and youth Christmas pageant Sunday at 6 p.m. On Dec. 12, the Sanctuary Choir will present portions of Handel's "Messiah" at a combined morning service at 10:30, and neighborhood caroling is planned for 6:30 p.m.
On Dec. 19, childrens' and adult choirs will perform at the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services. Christmas Eve services will be held at 5 p.m. and at 10:30 p.m.
\ ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in downtown Salem recently dedicated its three tower bells and a room constructed for those who ring them each Sunday. A set of blue altar hangings given in memory and honor of a group of women who for many years volunteered with the American Cancer Society was also dedicated. Blue is replacing purple as the Advent liturgical color in many churches. Purple, however, remains for the more solemn Lenten period.
\ Deadline for religion briefs for Neighbors is Thursday. Material must be delivered to Neighbors Religion Briefs, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010, by noon in order to run in the following Thursday edition.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***